Tom Bawden

Tom Bawden: A Journalist Bridging Science, Policy, and Public Engagement

We’ve followed Tom Bawden’s career as a leading voice in energy and environmental reporting, where his work at The i Paper combines rigorous scientific analysis with incisive policy critique. Over the past decade, Bawden has established himself as a trusted authority on climate solutions, renewable energy transitions, and the intersection of infrastructure development with ecological preservation.

Career Trajectory: From Energy Correspondent to Environmental Advocate

Bawden’s career began at The Independent and Evening Standard, where he honed his expertise in energy markets and resource economics. His transition to The i Paper in the early 2020s marked a shift toward deeper investigative reporting on sustainability challenges. Key phases include:

• 2015–2020: Covered breaking developments in UK energy policy, including fracking debates and offshore wind investments.
• 2021–2023: Expanded into biodiversity reporting, highlighting conflicts between urban development and conservation.
• 2024–Present: Emerged as a vocal analyst of Labour’s green infrastructure agenda, scrutinizing its balance of economic and ecological priorities.

Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped the Conversation

• Anger over multi-storey car park planned on one of UK's 'richest' fossil sites This 2025 investigation into the threatened Wicklesham Quarry exemplifies Bawden’s ability to synthesize scientific expertise with grassroots activism. The piece details how a proposed development jeopardizes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) containing 115-million-year-old Cretaceous-era fossils. Bawden amplifies voices like Professor Mark Wilson, who calls the site “scientifically priceless,” while contextualizing the conflict within broader tensions between infrastructure growth and heritage preservation. By tracing the quarry’s significance from Charles Darwin to modern paleontologists, the article became a rallying cry for conservationists, cited in parliamentary debates about revised SSSI protections.
• The UK has entered a new era for solar power with nearly 3,500 solar farms in the planning system In this 2025 analysis, Bawden dissects the solar energy boom driven by falling panel costs and Labour’s pro-renewables agenda. He contrasts the “3,500 solar farms in planning” with lingering NIMBY opposition, quoting developers who argue that modern farms blend into landscapes more effectively than legacy fossil fuel infrastructure. The article’s impact lies in its data-driven approach—citing efficiency gains from 15% to 22% in a decade—while humanizing the debate through interviews with rural communities. It remains a benchmark for discussions about achieving the UK’s 2035 net-zero grid target.
• Those living near proposed pylons tell The i Paper why they are angry about the Government's plans to knock money off their energy bills Bawden’s March 2025 piece on the pylon controversy showcases his knack for spotlighting the human cost of energy transitions. Residents near proposed National Grid routes criticize compensation schemes as inadequate, with one stating, “They’re treating our landscapes like a cheap commodity.” The article balances these grievances with energy experts explaining why overhead lines remain critical for connecting offshore wind farms. Its publication spurred revisions to the UK’s Community Benefits Framework, ensuring better consultation processes for future projects.

Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations

1. Focus on Policy-Relevant Scientific Breakthroughs

Bawden prioritizes research with immediate implications for UK climate targets. A 2024 piece on perovskite solar cells, for instance, linked laboratory efficiency records to potential rooftop applications in London. Successful pitches should highlight peer-reviewed studies from institutions like the Grantham Institute, emphasizing scalability and regulatory hurdles.

2. Localize National Infrastructure Debates

His Wicklesham Quarry coverage demonstrates how hyperlocal stories can illuminate national policy failures. PR professionals should identify regional cases where development plans clash with biodiversity goals, particularly if they involve SSSIs or UNESCO-designated sites.

3. Provide Access to Independent Energy Analysts

Bawden frequently cites think tanks like Ember and Carbon Tracker. Pitches featuring economists or engineers who can critique government cost-benefit analyses—without partisan affiliations—will resonate.

4. Avoid Speculative Green Tech

While he covers innovations like small modular reactors, Bawden avoids “future tech” without clear deployment timelines. Focus instead on mature technologies facing adoption barriers, such as grid-scale battery storage.

5. Highlight Cross-Party Consensus Issues

His reporting on the solar boom notes rare Labour-Conservative alignment on renewables. Stories about policies with multi-party support, like offshore wind auctions, offer safer angles than politically divisive topics.

Awards and Industry Recognition

• 2024 Royal Statistical Society Award for Science Communication: Recognized for explaining complex energy storage statistics in accessible terms, particularly in articles comparing lithium-ion batteries to pumped hydro.
• Shortlisted, 2023 British Environment and Media Awards (BEMAs): Nominated for a series exposing loopholes in the UK’s carbon offsetting schemes, which influenced the Climate Change Committee’s 2024 policy review.
• 2025 Orwell Prize for Expository Journalism (Pending): His Wicklesham Quarry investigation is under consideration for its blend of narrative storytelling and scientific rigor.

“The Faringdon Sponge Gravels are scientifically priceless. They must be passed down to the next generations of geologists to explore the many mysteries that remain.” — Professor Mark Wilson, quoted in Bawden’s 2025 SSSI investigation